This is the Gallardo LP550-2, and it’s that last little number that’s
important. Where all current Lamborghinis are four-wheel drive, the LP550-2 is
solely rear-wheel drive, charging it straight into a head-on collision course
with the Ferrari F430.

The LP550-2 is armed with a 5.2-litre V10 puting out 550bhp – a fraction less
than the four-wheel-drive Gallardo, but still a mighty lump of power – and is
expected to hit 60mph in a fraction under four seconds.

Ditching the four-wheel-drive gubbins makes the LP550-2 a little svelter than
the stock Gallardo: it should weigh in around 30kg lighter. It’s hardly a
stripped-out racer, though – take a look at that interior shot, which reveals
plenty of posh, stripy leather… and a proper manual transmission.

On the subject of stripes, anyone reckon the nose-to-tail racing stripe is
solely there to bait the Ferrari Scuderia?

The LP550-2 seems likely to be limited to a mere 250 cars… only question is,
how many will make it through the slippery, icy winter?